Can Nuclear Compete?

A reception will be held from 5:00pm - 6:00pm, following the afternoon panel discussions.

Nuclear energy faces an uncertain future in the United States as the fuel is beset by fierce competition from natural gas and renewable energy in many markets. Coupled with failure to deliver new projects on time and at cost, along with a public sensitive to operational safety, existing and future nuclear power generation is at risk in the United States.

The decline in U.S. nuclear power’s ability to compete in U.S. electric power markets has raised several concerns. First, the landscape for expanding nuclear power generation abroad is now being viewed as an area where the U.S. could be ceding ground as a commercial competitor. Second, over the relationship between a robust domestic nuclear power industry and U.S. influence in global non-proliferation as well as other issues associated to U.S. national security. Finally, worries stemming from U.S. nuclear power's present and future role in efforts to address climate change as well as grid resiliency have been voiced by policymakers and regulators at the regional and federal level.

What do the challenges of the U.S. nuclear energy sector mean for U.S. nuclear technological competitiveness, U.S. national security, and global climate change? Hosted by CSIS and the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC), this half-day public conference will address these pressing questions in an effort to better understand the potential future of U.S. nuclear power.

Agenda

12:30 p.m. - Lunch

12:45 p.m. - Welcome and Opening Remarks

1:00 p.m. - Can U.S. Nuclear Reactor Technologies Compete at Home or Abroad?

2:15 p.m. - What is the Role of Nuclear in a Carbon-Constrained World?

3:45 p.m. - Is there a National Security Imperative for Nuclear?

5:00 p.m. - Reception

This event is made possible by EPIC and general funding to CSIS and the Energy & National Security Program.